The Matisse March Madness event, which raises funds through an art auction and gallery walk featuring the works of local and regional artists, will be at 6 p.m. March 28 to support East Texas CARES Resource Center.

Attendees will be able to buy beautiful, one-of-a-kind art, and the funds will be used to support pressing needs in the community: Education, emergency assistance, counseling, behavioral health and hunger.

Gus Ramirez, Matisse March Madness chairman, said after more than three decades of experience with HIV in the United States, “We know that prevention works. Support of this fund raiser will contribute to the education and stabilization of a world-wide epidemic by contributing to our own grassroots work.”

East Texas CARES Resource Center is committed to compassionate service for individuals and their families living with HIV in East Texas Community, Jeanette Deas Calhoun, executive director, said.

She indicated the HIV crisis in America is far from over. The Center for Disease Control estimates that one person every nine and a half minutes becomes infected.

The March Madness event to raise funds will be at Gus’ Mexican Restaurant, 6700 Farm-to-Marked Road 2493, just off Old Jacksonville Highway.

Tickets are available at the cost of $60 for one person or $100 two persons Tickets may be purchased at East Texas CARES Resource Center located at 409 S. BoisD’Arc St. Tickets also may be purchased at the event.